CLASSICRACERPEOPLE
60 ClassicRacer
Below:Amanatonewithhismachine;Joe
Pottswithoneofhisbikes.This race wasthe mostthrilling of theday
withBob, Jack and John battlingitout for
17 of the20laps. In the finalfew lapsBrett
pulled awayby 20 yards to take victory,while
Bobjust edgedHartle out by half alength.
In the 500cc BMCRC Championship race
Bobfinished secondbehindHartle.Theracing
at Silverstonehad beenthrilling and even
describedas “totalwar”. Bobwas given the
Carburol Cup(forbestBritish250cc bike) for
hisperformance on the Potts250.
At BrandsHatch, Bobgot four second
placesin aday on the Pottsmachines. Mick
O’Rourkewon the 250ccclass on an MV,
while AlanTrow wonthe otherclasseson
hisNortons.
Thefollowingweekend Bobenjoyedavery
successful dayatAberdare Park,winning all
four classes on his machines; 250cc, 350cc,
500cc and 1000cc. It wasatthis meeting
that John Surtees and Bill Webster would
approachhim to trytoget him to agreeto ride
forMVAgusta forthe 1957 season.
In earlyOctober Bobwould keep up the
previousweekend’s goodform by dominating
the BMCRC Metropolitan Road Races at
CrystalPalace. In the 250cc Championship he
wonat70.20mphonthe Potts250 fromGeoff
Monty(GMS).On his largerPottsmachines, Bobwon
the350cc and Senior Championship,the
350cc race being areal thriller,asBob just got
the better ofTerryShepherd,AlanTrow and
Alastair King (all Norton-mounted).
And so another seasoncameto an end.
Bobhad beenthemost successfulrider in
the250cc, 350ccand 500ccclassesat British
meetings.ThePotts team had wonboth the
250cc and 500cc British championships.
Boband Joediscussed theoffersfrom MV
and Gilera forBob to ridefor them in 1957.Joe
told Bobthat if he wanted to win Classic races
that he needed to ride oneofthe
multi-cylinderItalianfliers.
Bobflew to Arcoreonthe outskirtsof
Milantohave adiscussionwith Giuseppe
Gilera about riding his bikes. Gileraalso flew
to Bellshill to stay withJoe forafew days.
WhenstayingatJoe’s house during adinner
party,Gilera loveditthat the son of one of
Joe’sguests waswearing akilt.Gilera insisted
on trying the boy’skiltonashefoundit
so amusing!
One of themost important things to
Bobwas thatwhenGilera didnot needhis
services, he had to be freetocontinue riding
Joe’sbikes. Gilera were not keen on this
idea, but Bobsaidthat he would not sign forthemunderany othercircumstances.Gilera
agreedto sign Bobwithoutatest ride and the
deal wasannouncedinThe MotorCycle on
October11.
Bob’sfirst ride on the Gilerawas later that
monthatawet and windyMonza.Andso
wastostart anotherveryhappyrelationship
between Bob, Joeand the Gilera team;one
that went on formuchlonger than theone
season Bobactuallyrode forthem.
For1957 Bobwas stillplanning on ridingthe
Potts250cc, 350ccand 500ccmachines, but
duetoGileracommitments he would notbe
able to do many meetings. Forthis reason Joe
wanted to sponsor another rider.
Thedecisionwas easy–hechoseAlastair
King,who wasBob’sbest friendand had been
riding well anddeveloping intoatop rider.eranyothercircumstancesGileraJIMMYHANDEDTHEBIKESBACKTOBOBAFTER
THERACE. BOBSAID:“THERE’SNOTHINGTOBEATA
DOUBLESCOTCH!”
052 PottsMcIntyrePart two_SEP.indd 60 31/07/201709:35:33